Social Work Online
About the Program
Southwest Minnesota State University’s Social Work Program offers a Bachelor of Science: Social Work degree in beginning generalist social work practice. A Bachelor of Social Work education combines liberal arts with professional social work foundation content to prepare to work effectively with individuals, families, small groups, communities, and organizations. The SMSU social work major is an accredited program through the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). To ensure professional quality, accredited programs must meet rigorous academic standards to gain and maintain accreditation from the CSWE. To that end SMSU students apply for admission to the Social Work Program in their sophomore or junior year and must meet formal admission requirements, which include completion of required courses and a minimum grade point average.
Cost & Financial Aid
- Undergraduate Online tuition rates are affordable and banded for full time student enrollments.
- SMSU offers in-state tuition to nearly everyone. No out-state rates. Reciprocity rates may apply.
- U.S. Citizens & eligible noncitizens can apply for federal aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Minnesota residents completing the FAFSA will also be considered for Minnesota State Grant and Federal Direct loan funds as well.
- SMSU offers a variety of Scholarships that students can apply for!
- Return on investment! SMSU graduates have a 99% Employment Rate within 6 months of graduation!
Admission Requirements
Online Student Services
Supporting Your Success!

Careers In Social Work
Southwest Minnesota State’s social work major prepares students for graduate study and for positions in a number of practice settings such as public and private social service agencies, hospitals, nursing home/hospice programs, outpatient facilities, residential care facilities, courts/criminal justice programs, elementary/secondary schools, vocational rehabilitation programs, and psychiatric institutions. Social workers provide services in the following areas: children and youth, services to the aged, family services, group services, medical and health care, mental health, developmental disabilities, mental retardation, alcohol and substance abuse, corrections, criminal justice, school social work, employment-related services, public assistance/public welfare, and community organization and planning services.
- Child & Family Social Work
- Child Protection
- School Social Work
- Gerontological Social Work
- Hospice & Palliative Care Social Workers
- Mental Health Substance Abuse
- Clinical Social Work
visit icon
catalog icon
program icon
catalog icon
Last Modified: 2/28/23 4:13 PM | Website Feedback